Pasadena Health Officials Urge Flu Vaccination as New Strain Spreads Across California

The Pasadena Public Health Department on Wednesday urged residents to get vaccinated against the flu, warning that a new strain of influenza is spreading worldwide and has been detected in California as cases and hospital admissions rise across the nation.

The strain, known as Influenza A (H3N2) subclade K, now accounts for most tested flu cases in California, according to a news release issued by the department. Health officials said the 2025-26 flu vaccine can still help prevent severe illness and is expected to offer protection against severe disease, lowering the risk of hospitalization. The department recommended that everyone six months and older who has not yet received a flu shot get fully vaccinated.

“Getting vaccinated and quickly starting treatment if you are sick are the best ways to avoid serious illness and hospital stays,” Dr. Parveen Kaur, the city’s acting health officer, said in the release.

The advisory comes two days after the California Department of Public Health issued a statewide alert noting that influenza cases and hospital admissions are increasing and that the majority of subtyped influenza A specimens in California are H3N2, projected to be from subclade K.

Pasadena operates its own public health department, separate from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, giving the city independent authority over local health guidance.

The department advised residents who develop flu-like symptoms to get tested as soon as possible. High-risk individuals, including older adults and those with chronic health conditions, should consult with a healthcare provider and start antiviral medication immediately without waiting for test results, the release stated. Recommended antivirals include oseltamivir, sold under the brand name Tamiflu, and baloxavir, which can help patients recover faster and avoid potential complications.

“As flu cases rise, we encourage everyone to get vaccinated and seek care as soon as possible if you are feeling sick,” Manuel Carmona, the city’s director of public health, said in the release. “These steps can help keep you and our community healthy.”

Residents who become ill should stay home until they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without using fever-reducing medication, according to the department.

The department directed residents to obtain flu shots through their doctors, local pharmacies, or the state’s MyTurn.ca.gov website. Information on flu activity in California is available on the California Department of Public Health’s Respiratory Virus Dashboard.